The Movie Forum tackles 'The Croods,' ;The Host' and 'The Place Beyond the Pines' as well as a whole mess of your questions this week
Alan Markfield, Open Road Films; Atsushi Nishijima, Focus Features

Every Wednesday, the Movie Forum convenes to discuss the latest news from the film world and answer questions submitted by you, the reader.

This week, USA TODAY film critic Claudia Puig and movie reporter Susan Wloszczyna discussed last weekend's winner, The Croods, and the state of DreamWorks Animation as well as two of this week's new releases: The Host (can Meyer's new film recapture the tween title vacated by Twilight? Hint: Nope!) and the critically acclaimed The Place Beyond The Pines starring Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper. We also answered readers' questions about 50 Shades of Grey, The Evil Dead, The Devil in the White City and Jurassic Park 3D.

How this works - Each week we solicit questions, online, from our readers on the latest news from the world of film.

This week? The Croods, The Host and The Place Beyond the Pines

It's a "THE" heavy Forum this week!

Remember: you can submit questions right here and now and we will tackle them later in the chat.

So let's get started!

The Croods, an animated comedy from DreamWorks featuring an all-star voice acting cast including Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone, won the box office this weekend with a solid opening of $43.6M. What is the state of DreamWorks Animation? Is this a sign of good things to come?

Susan Wloszczyna: Hey John -- It isn't a bad sign, but it isn't a resounding win, either. There is so many animated rivals to contend with today, something really has to stand out to make a non-sequel click with the public. The Croods was perfectly fine but it was basically Ice Age with humans meets Avatar, and we have sort of seen that family-oriented story before.

But don't give up on DreamWorks yet. I have higher hopes for Turbo, with Ryan Reynolds as a racing snail. A little more octane in that concept. Snails are also apparently hot in animated form: Epic from Fox has one, too, with the voice of Chris O'Dowd. But DreamWorks needs something to catch on like Shrek did, since their last non spinoff/sequel to catch fire was 2010's How to Train Your Dragon. I am looking forward to their new twist on a classic from my youth that arrives next year: Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

Claudia Puig: Though this is no Shrek (which Croods star Nicolas Cage was offered!), I do think DreamWorks Animation's stock has risen (literally and figuratively) since the success this weekend of The Croods. It could be a sign of good things to come. It's a return from the disappointment that was Rise of the Guardians. I believe Its last major success was in 2010 with How to Train Your Dragon, which Croods director Chris Sanders also directed. So maybe what's to be learned from this is that DreamWorks needs to turn to Chris Sanders for a winning formula.

John Elliot: Can DreamWorks Animation be considered on an equal with Disney/Pixar, in terms of storytelling, animation, box office draw, etc?

Susan Wloszczyna: DreamWorks trumped Disney animation by have a mega-hit with Shrek in 2001, while the House of Mouse was still fiddling with handdrawn animation. But Pixar still remains the standard.

Claudia Puig: Alas, not even close to Disney/Pixar in terms of the breadth of storytelling, animation or box office draw. With the minor exception of Cars 2, Pixar is in the rare position of batting it out of the park every time---whether with first time stories or sequels. It's really quite breathtaking.

Susan Wloszczyna: What DreamWorks has done with such hits as Kung Fu Panda and Dragon is to go beyond the joke-a-minute style of Shrek and be confident enough to go deeper and more serious occasionally. That shows up in The Croods, too.

Claudia Puig: As much as I loved the first Shrek, and liked the second, and also really enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon, DreamWorks is not nearly as consistently good as Pixar.

John Elliot: How much more will The Croods need to earn to warrant a sequel? Or is a sequel already in the bag?

Claudia Puig: It cost $135 million to make--or at least that's what DreamWorks is copping to. So it still has a way to go to turn a profit. I don't think it takes all that much for the powers that be to decide to make a sequel--even if it goes straight to DVD however

Susan Wloszczyna: I did not leave the theater with a crying need for more Croods time. Although I would enjoy Cloris Leachman's granny facing off with Wanda Sykes' oldster from the last Ice Age if two studios could ever merge like that.

John Elliot: What other animated films should movie goers be on the look out for this spring and summer?

Claudia Puig: I'm really looking forward to Monsters University, and also Despicable Me 2. Though both are sequels, the originals were so clever that it's hard not to want more.

Susan Wloszczyna:Despicable Me 2 -- the Minions are like animated potato chips, you can never just settle for only one helping. And, yes, I have high hopes for Monster U -- I am hoping for a Pixar version of Animal House.

John Elliot:The Host, opening this weekend, is the latest film from Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, adapted from her book of the same name. In the book world, The Host didn't post nearly the numbers that The Twilight Saga did?any reason to think the film version will rival Twilight's box office?

Claudia Puig: I believe the book is aimed at a slightly older demographic than Twilight. It was considered her "adult" book. Be that as it may, I'm sure it was snapped up by Twi-hards more than fans of mature literature. As for the movie, I don't see it rivalling Twilight at all. I think that was a unique Meyer phenomenon. The first weekend may be high withTwilight fans showing up and due to the vague appeal of the ads and trailer, but I don't see this being a major blockbuster, ala either Twilight or Hunger Games.

Claudia Puig: Susan, are you a Twi-fan?

Susan Wloszczyna: Am I a Twi-fan? More like a Try-fan. But the films followed the books in diminishing returns for me.

This always happens after a certain genre spawns a huge hit. First came Lord of the Rings, then followed Narnia, The Golden Compass, Eragon. None really had the same sort of magic and appeal. The first Hunger Games actually doubled the domestic box office of the first Twilight and it should grow to be a bigger success with each sequel.

Claudia Puig: So true about the wannabe factor of Golden Compass and Eragon. I'm betting on Hunger Games' continued success, especially since Jennifer Lawrence is such an "it girl" now.

Susan Wloszczyna: But the studios will continue to try to capture Twilight's audience at the movies, with potential franchises with Divergent and The Mortal Instruments. But in the case of The Host, aliens are rarely as sexy as vampires -- unless they are Jeff Bridges.

Claudia Puig: Well, I'm seeing The Host tonight so I'll report back about the sexiness of aliens....

Susan Wloszczyna: Good, someone has to ..

John Elliot: There is was a pretty large void in the YA film market following the consecutive conclusions of the Harry Potter and Twilight series. Does any other series have a chance at stealing The Hunger Games crown? Or should we get very comfortable with the image of a bow sporting Jennifer Lawrence for the next few years?

Claudia Puig: No, I don't think we'll be seeing a Beautiful Creatures franchise. Hunger Games seems to have the corner on the market for the foreseeable future.

Susan Wloszczyna:The Hunger Games was different enough from Twilight but also had some of the same strong heroine/romance elements to appeal to even a broader audience, And so much better acting and writing. Effects wise, it definitely needs an upgrade, though.

Claudia Puig: And of course the J-Law factor in that strong heroine. She can act circles around K-STew.

John Elliot: Finally?The Place Beyond the Pines, starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta and Eva Mendes opens this weekend, and has being getting some great critical buzz.

I haven't seen it yet, but the trailer looks great.

HOWEVER you two have seen it! So let us know?what can we expect? Does it live up to the hype?

Claudia Puig: I think this is a fantastic epic drama. For me, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's ambitious and sweeping and has a lot to say about father-son relationships and the reverberations of moral choices. The director, Derek Cianfrance, who did Blue Valentine, re-teams with Ryan Gosling and it's even better than their last collaboration. It's a long movie but you don't feel the length at all. It's my favorite movie of this year--so far.

Susan Wloszczyna: It is two hours and 20 minutes and it flew by. Gripping personified. One warning: Those expecting lots of sexy time between Gosling and co-star Eva Mendes given that his last collaboration with Cianfrance was the graphic Blue Valentine will be very disappointed. Also be aware that Gosling and Cooper barely cross paths, but when they do it is a very vital, tense scene.

Claudia Puig: Even though Gosling and Mendes aren't on the screen together all that much, they do have chemistry to burn. The story has such depth an approaches a Greek tragedy. While I loved Drive, this is definitely NOT Drive on a motorcyle!

Susan Wloszczyna: Women will be happy watching Gosling and Cooper act their butts off. And men should enjoy Mendes' initial entrance where she clearly left her bra at home.

Claudia Puig: And what about that long tracking shot as the movie opens with Gosling walking into the carnival? He looks amazing and is such a superb actor!

John Elliot: Well, I , for one, am looking forward to seeing it.

Now...time for reader questions!

D-know from Tacoma, WA asks:

Do you have an early review for Evil Dead?

Claudia Puig: I have yet to see it, D-know. (Love that name!) Seeing it next week, so alas no early review or spoiler here!

Susan Wloszczyna: Lightning rarely strikes twice, especially when it is something so special as the first Evil Dead. Really, has any zombie film topped the first Night of the Living Dead.

Claudia Puig: When it comes to zombie movies I still love 28 Days Later.

Susan Wloszczyna: I discount that one. A. They had a virus -- not the undead. B. I like my zombies shambling not zippy. Next question ....

Claudia Puig: I personally dislike the shambling ones. So slow and predictable. I prefer Shaun of the Dead--the zombie take-offs.

Susan Wloszczyna: Yes, but Shaun had shamblers. You could kill them with record albums.

Claudia Puig: Readers, want to weigh in on your zombie faves?

John Elliot: We got few questions/comments regarding our 50 Shades of Grey casting discussion from last week

Chris from Detroit asks:

Is there any chance of an established actress being able to play Ana Steele without risking the credibility of their career? No offense, but when you hear the author and producers saying they want an NC-17 rating, porn films automatically come to mind. I think that's why Emma laughed at the reports, because she actually wants her career to last.

Susan Wloszczyna: An explicit role does not necessarily sink an actress's career. Think Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. But steamy sex is not as easy to pull off as one might think -- at least in a movie. It came come off as silly and campy, such as Showgirls. I am still haunted by those dolphin fountains in the pool. Then there is Madonna in Body of Evidence. I did not light any candles for a year. But Jane Fonda managed to survive Barbarella. I think the filmmaker and the storytelling is maybe as important if not more than the stars they pick.

Claudia Puig: I think Chris's assessment is spot-on. Emma wants a lasting career and taking that role is a big risk. I guess it's posible it could catapult someone who's not a major name into the global consciousness, but then again the role could be this decade's Nomi from Showgirls

Susan from San Diego says:

This series just has to be done right - another book cannot be ruined by someone totally mis-casting and changing the storyline too much.

The people cast have to become the character, have to be perfect, have to make us believe they are that person - this is a book read by millions.

Christian has to have the kind of hair women run their fingers thourgh, he has to have the cold look, the soft look, all the looks that the book describes often.

It may work well for them to cast unknowns so that we are not recalling the actor/actress in some other role.

Claudia Puig: Susan--from San Diego, not USA Today--it sounds like you should be a casting consultant!

But seriously, I think Susan is right that unknowns would probably be best. And hair that women can run their fingers through can't be too hard to find among young actors.

Susan Wloszczyna: Perhaps the way to go is with a known actor -- obviously Susan will not abide by Vin Diesel or the Rock -- and unknown actress, just to add some mystery to it. It is easier to fantasize with an unknown in a role sometimes.

Edward from Florida asks:

What is currently going on with The Devil in the White City movie?

Any film start date for this production? Anxious to see this movie.

Susan Wloszczyna: Did a little research -- or what others call Googling -- and this fascinating project based on real-life facts surrounding the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago that mingles a master architect's dream and a nightmare situation created by the first American serial killer seems to be in a kind of production limbo. Leonardo Di Caprio's production company has the rights and he is itching to play the macabre murderer. But he also has about 20 other outstanding projects lined up. I think it will get made but it will cost a bit.

Carrie from Indianapolis asks:

I wanted to know how long Jurassic Park 3D will be in the theaters.

Claudia Puig: Not sure specifically on Jurassic Park 3D, but as long as the studios can wring more money out of audiences, those 3D re-boots will keep re-surfacing. And sticking around.

I don't know if length of time in theaters is something studios necessarily reveal. It all depends on the success of the film I believe.

Susan Wloszczyna: Those who have seen it have said it is one of the better such dimensional transfers they have seen -- the action pops and even the sound is more resounding. But with the summer monsters around the corner, don't wait too long to see T-rex stomp around in the third dimension.

John Elliot: Finally...we got our FIRST Forum comment via Facebook (yes, Forum fans you can submit questions there too!) from one Ted Nolan.

Ted Nolan says:

Movie theaters should put shock collars on patrons. Any talking by anyone wearing the collar once inside the theater would result in a severe shock.

John Elliot: Well, Ted, it doesn't seem ENTIRELY practical (or legal), but Claudia and Susan how do you deal with disruptive movie goers?

Claudia Puig: Disruptive moviegoers are a true annoyance. As are chronic texters....I usually suffer in silence, with an occasional "shhh!" escaping my lips. But I will say I once shushed Larry King at a premiere. He insisted on talking loudly through a director's introduction to a film.

It didn't work, alas. He kept talking.

Susan Wloszczyna: I like that idea but fear sneezing or coughing might set it off, Ted. Luckily, I tend to get my own screenings often alone or I go in a crowd of respectful media types. But if forced to go to an actual paid-for showing, I tend to go where there will be less of a crowd, just in case i have to move away. Confrontation rarely works since the guilty parties tend to simply get defensive or ignore you. Now popcorn munchers and texters -- they deserve two collars.

John Elliot: Unfortunately, it's time for us to wrap up

Thank you Claudia and Susan! And a VERY big thank you to all our readers who participated and submitted questions.

Susan Wloszczyna: Farewell, one and all -- happy Passover, Easter and sneak in a movie if you can.

Claudia Puig: Thanks to all our readers--on the site and on Facebook! Great questions! Now remember not to talk, text or munch loudly at the movies!

John Elliot: Remember: you can submit your burning movie questions all week long, right here.

Thank you all for joining us for the USA TODAY Movie Forum! Please join us again next Wednesday at 3 PM EST/12 PM PST for another edition of Movie Forum.

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Movie Forum: Roast 'The Host,' praise 'the Pines'

Every Wednesday, the Movie Forum convenes to discuss the latest news from the film world and answer questions submitted by you, the reader. This week, USA TODAY film critic Claudia Puig and movie

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